Gas-operated gun.



S. N. MGCLBAN.

GAS OPERATED GUN. APPLICATION FILED 00T.14, 1905. RENEWBD Nov. 27. 1909.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

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@vi Messes spring which returns the piston;

UNHE STATES PATENT OFFICE SAMUEL N. MCCLEAN, OE CLEVELAND, OHIO,ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

' THE AUTOMATIC ARMS COMPANY.

GAs-oPERA'rED GUN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

Application led Getober 14, 1905, .Serial No. 282,779. v Renewed November 27, 1909. Serial No. 530,244. i

To all whom fit may concern:

Be itKknown that I, SAMUEL N. MC- CLEAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga, State ot' Chio7 have invented lcertain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Operated Guns, ot which the following is a description, reference being' had to the accompanying drawing` and to the lettersI and figures ot' reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to improvements in gas operated `guns and 'more particularly to devices for controlling and utilizing the power ot the powder' gases to operate the gun and to certain details of improvement in connection with the gas actuated breech actuating' device by which the gun is operated.

The object of 'my invention is to provide means for determining the pressure which the powder `fas will exert upon the piston whereby the breech mechanism ot a gas operated gun 'is ope atedg and to provide a device in which the gas by which the breech mechanism of such a gun is operated will be. mixed with a considerable quantity ot' air as it tiows to the cylinder commonly included in such actuating` devices. whereby any flame present.- will be snutl'ed out'I and the temperature of the gas reduced.

A vfurther object of my invention is' to so locate the operating' cylinder and piston that a quantity ot air .unnrixed with powder `ras wiil be interposed between the heated gas and said pistmi. thereby protecting it trom the high temperature. ot said gras.

lFurther objects of the invention are to provide certain details in improvements in assembling and disassembling the parts of the breech actuatingy device with the run barrel, and in the :'xssembling and disassembling oi the actuating parts ot' the said actuating device; t'o provide a gas actuated device having a piston head which inter-locks with the shaft to which it is attached; to Control the interlocking by means of the to provide a cylinder head having' vents and a screw threaded nuti'or ol'iening:`r closing and adjusting these vents to secure the desired pressure on the gas actuated device; to provide a gas actuated device having;v a piston head comprising' a irontand rear piston and an air chamber or an extinguishing' 'chamber between the front and rear flanges ot the piston; to make thc piston head cup shaped in order to deflect the llame of the powder gas in a curved direction; to provide an air chamber between the pistons for radiating purposes and to increase the radi'atingsurface of the piston; to construct thev cylinder of the gas actuated device so that it shall interlock with the chamber which connects the cylinder with the t g'un barrel, and to construct this' cylinder so that it shall have a sliding movementtor opening up the gas actuated device to expose and clean the piston and to unlock and remove the piston head when desired, the cylinder part of the gas actuated device forming' a sleeve which telescopes to lthe rear on tht` outer side of' the companion sleeve in which the returningY -spring moves; also to torni the gas chamber so that it shall have a flange and `groove connection with the gun barrel and a retaining' pin or other device by which it may he Yfreed and slid outl ot engagement with its companion flanges.

lith these above and other objcctshercinatter explained in view, my' invention conof and comprises thel construction and combination ot elements hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

efcrring to the drawings ---l"i;;'ure l is a longitudinal side elevation ot' a gun barrel equipped with my invention; Fig'. 9 is a side elevation ot the saine parts on an enlarged scale. showing the `Las actuated device and associated parts in central section and the piston head in elevation: Fte'. 1i is a transverse sectional view throulfh the barrel and `gas chamber; Fig'. l is a detail elevation otl the piston head piston rod and rcturning spring); and illustrates one torni of the construction for interlocking these parts; Fig'. 5 a detail view partly in section o'li the ing a inoditied t'orm ot' the extinguishing chamber or air chamber between the 'front and rear pistons. Fig'. (lisa detail view partly in section ot" thc piston head and as-ociatcd parts .showing` a moditication in which the end ot the spring;l passes through a hole in a lug;` on the piston bar into At'llo piston head; Figi. 't' a detail view ot the piston rod showing the actuatingv spring, passing through a groove in the end o'l" the rodto illustrate a modified construction 'for interlocking with the piston heady-Fie. S is'an piston head and associati-ul parts showy down to regulate or close the end elevation of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a side elevation partly in section of the piston rod showing the actuating spring passing through a hole bored through the end of the rod into an opening through which the spring passes.

vIn the drawings, 1 is the gun barrel having at its muzzle a gas collecting device 2, consisting of a chamber of greater interior diameter than the bore of the gun arranged in line with the bore and terminating at its outer end in an opening of substantially the same diameter as the boreof the gun. V

3 is a gas chamber secured to the gas collecting device and communicating with the interiorof the gas collecting device through a series of gas passages 4 of small diameter as shown. The gas chamber is held inposition by means of its flanges 5 which engage flanges 6 on the gas collecting device, and a retaining pin 7, the construction being such that when the retaining pin 7 is withdrawn `the gas chamber may readily be slid oli' from the flanges 6.

At its forward end the gas chamber 3 is provided with a head 8, having an. extension 9 thereon whichV may be solid as sho-wn in Fig. 1 or may have a port or opening 10 eX- tending through it as shown in Fig. 2. Ports or openings 11 are provided in the head 8, about the base of the extension 9. The extension 9 is Ascrewthreaded and on it is mounted a nut 12, which if used with the extension having the opening 10 through it, has an opening through its outer end in line with the port or openinglO. The nut 12 has a. broad base adapted when the nutis screwed ports or openings 11. The nut is provided with any convenient means for turning it such asthe recesses 13 to .receive a Spanner wrench. At its rear end the gas chamber 3 is provided with interior screw threads 14, preferably interrupted screw threads as shown in Fig. 2. In these screw threads 14 is the forward end of a gas cylinder 15 having formed thereon screwthreads 16. The

gas cylinder 15 is detachably secured at its rear end to 'the tube 17 which carries`the piston rod 18 'through which movement is conveyed to the'breech mechanism. The detachable connection between the gas cylinder and the tube 17 mayl conveniently comprise a series of spring arms 19 extending rearward and having on their under sides projections 20 adapted to engage recesses 21 formed in the outer surface of the tube 17. The gas cylinder may also be provided at its forward end with a spring arm 22 having a recess 23 on its under side to engage a project/ion 24 on the outer surface of the rear end of the gas chamber 3. The gas cylinder is also preferably provided with recesses 25 to receire a spanner wrench for rotating it.

The interior diameter of the gas cylinder receivedv lthe is preferably the same as the interior diameterof `the gas chamber 3. In the gas cylinder is located the piston 26 secured on the end of the piston rod 18, the piston being forced. forward or returned to its original 4position after having been acted upon by screw threads 28 with which engage inter.

rupted screwthreadsv 29 on a rearward extension 30 of the piston 26. In the piston 26 is formeda deep annular groove 31 dividing it into two portions, a forward portion 26 and a rearward' portion 262, connected by a neck 263. I n the forward face of the rearward portion 262 is preferably formed an annular groove 32, and in the forward face of the forward portion 26 is formed a circular recess'33. In the rear face of the rear portion 262 is formed a recess 34 to receive the end of the spring 27.

In order to prevent the spring 27 from uneoiling its end is engaged with retaining means on the end of the piston rod. The retaining means may be a pairl of lugs 35, between which. the end of the spring is placed as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, or a recess 36 in'the end of the rod in which, the end of the spring is received shown in Figs. 5, 7 a1id'8,-or an apertured lug 37, through which the end of the spring is thrust as shown in Fig. 6 vor an aperture 38 in the end of the piston rod with a recess 39 leading to it as shown in Fig. 9.

In order to disassemble the parts of the device the gas cylinder 15 is unlocked from the gas chamber 3 by lifting the end of the spring arm 22 until its recess 23- is disengaged from the projection 24 and the gas cylinder then rot-ated .until its interrupted screw threads 16 are free from engagement with the screw threads 14 of the gas chamber 3. The gas cylinder is then slid rearward on the tube17 until the piston 26 and the end of the piston rod are exposed. .By then pressing the spring 27 rearward suiiiciently to disengage its end from the recess 34 in the piston, the piston is unlocked and, by rotating it, the screwthreadsof its eX- tension 30 are disengaged from the companion screw threads in the end of the piston rod so that it may be taken od the end of istonirod. By removing the retaining pin the gaschamberinay be slid 0H the flanges 6. As thus constructed, the entire device may be readily assembled or disassembled. without the use of tools other than a Spanner or wrench. I It will be understood that after the gun is fired at the instant that the projectile is The piston rod 18 is preferably.

Loos-,63e

labout to Vleave the vend of the'V gas collectingV device 2, a portiony of the burning gases of :discharge under high y pressure will pass` Vt-hroughmthe passages L into the chamber 3. The passages 4 being of small diameter will divide upthe current of gases and will tendv to snuff `out or extinguish the flame. The ygases passing into the chamber 3 to which air .is admitted freely through the ports orYV openings 10 and 11,Will be .mingled with the air `reduc'in the temperature to some extent and tending to extinguish any flame which may pass through the passage 4. More or :lessofthe gases willv escape through the openings l0 and 11, thus reducingl the pref'- -sure in the-gas chamber to the pressure dcsired for operating the -*breech* mechanism through the piston and pistonV rod. The escape of the gases and `the lconsequent reduction in pressure will be regulated by' means of the nutI l2. By reason of the location. of the piston in the'gas cylinder a. considerable distance in rear of the passages 4 as shown,` there will always be a considerable volume of air in front of the piston c andthisevolume of air will, to some extent,

serve as a cushion yto lessen the shock of impact on the piston and will also rotect the s'cribed, is'formedl in two parts with an annula'r recess betweenthem so that any flame passing the forward portion of the piston will be snuiiedY out inthis recess. The annularl'groove 32 shown in Fig. 6, aids in this extinguishing of the flame by causing the gases which pass into the 4groove 31 to eddy checkingtheir movement and thus giving timeY for the ameto burn out or, become extinguished.

The gas cylinder 15 as well as the barrel of` the gun is preferably 'knurled on its outer surface as showni to increase the radiating surface and thus to `cool the cylinder and barrel and prevent overheating Whichrwould drawthe temper of the rsteel or otherwise injure it. The knurling is preferably produced by the action of rolls by which the surface is crushed and broken into innumerable sharp or jagged points, increasing the radiating surface twoandonehalf or more times the surfaceofa smooth cylinder,V the jagged points acting to throw ofi' the heat much more rapidly than would a smooth Y surface and keeping th'e'barrel and gas cylinder and contiguous partssuiiiciently cool to` permit automatic firingY to be vkept up much longer than it could otherwise wlthout injury from over heating.`

It will7 of course, be understood that I do not` desire tobe limited to the precise details shown and described7 it being obvious that details may be modified'without depart-- ing from the spirit of the invention.'

Having thus described. my invention, what I claim as .new and desire to secure by Lets ters Patent, iss-ri chamber; a permanently openl passage leading from said barrel to said'chamber; a'

l. In a gas operated gunyja' barrel; algas 79 permanently 4open passage leading fromsai'd chainber to the atmosphere? a regulating. member located opposite the discharge end of said second passage; and means for adjusting, said member with reference to said A'passage to lthereby regulate the flow of air therethrough. v

2. In a gas operated gun, a barrel; a gas chamber; a permanently open passage lead` ing from 'said barrel to said chamberfa` permanently fopen passage leading from'said chamber to ther atmosphere; a threaded member extending from the wall of' said gas `chamber and located 4adjacent said second passage';and a regulating member engaging' said threaded member and adjustable thereon and having a portion extending opposite the d1scharge 'end of sald second' passage; whereby the flow of air through said. passage .may be regulated.

t 3. In a gas operated. gun, a barrel; a gas chamber; a cylinder communicating with.

said chamber; a piston in said cylinder; a permanently open passage leading from said chamber to the atmosphere; and a per-r manently open' passage leading from said barrel to said chamber at a point between said cylinder and said passage leadingfto the atmosphere. l f

4. In agas operated gun, a gas chamber communicating with thebarrel and having openings in its forward end for access ot air, a 'gas cylinder connected with the gas chamber, -at its rear end, and a 'piston movvable in said gas cylinder.

5. In a gas operated gun`-L gas `chamber communicating` with the barrel and having openings in itsrfo'rward end for access of air, a gas cylinder connected with the gas chamber, at its rear end,'and a piston mov-. able in said gas cylinder, the piston being so located that an air space is left between it and the gas cylinder. r

iis

6. In a gas operated gun, a barrel; a gas Y chamber detachably connected thereto; a passage connecting said barrel and chamber; a cylinder detachably connected with said chamber' and movable relatively there; to; means for guiding said cylinder in its movement away from the chamber; and a piston in said cylinder.'l Y

7 In a gas operated gun, a barrel; a gas chamber detachably connected thereto; a 'passage connecting said barrel and chainber; a cylinder detachlably connected to said chamber and extending parallel with the barrel of the gun; said cylinder being rotatable. about its axis and also capable of longitudinal movement along' its axis; ineans whereby rotary movement imparted to said cylinder `will lool; it to said chamber and unlock it. therefrom; means for guiding said cylinder in both its rotary and longitudinal movements; andv a piston in said cylinder.

In a gas operated gun, n gas chamber vCommunicnting with the barrel and detachably connected thereto, a gas cylinder detachaol)Jv connected with the gas chamber, a piston movable within the gas cylinder7 a piston rod, and a tube in which the piston rod is carried, the Cylinder having a sliding connection with the tnhe.

9. ln a gas operated guina gas cylinder communicating with the gun barrel, a piston movable in the cylinder, a piston rod carrying the piston, the pi on being detachahly connected with the piston rod, and means tor locking the piston against detachment. A 5

l0. in a gas operated gun7 e. gne cylinder eoinniunicating with the gun loarrell` a piston movable in the gas cylinder, a piston rod carrying the piston, the piston having a screw connection with the piston rod7 and means for locking thepiston against rotation.

l1. In gas operated gun, a gas cylinder communicating with the gun barrel, a piston movable in the gas cylinder, a piston rod carrying the piston, the piston having a screw connection 1with the piston rod, and inensitor locking the piston against rotation, comprising a spring carried by the piston rod.

l2. '2in a gas operated gun, a gas cylinder communicating with the gun barrel, a piston movable in the gas cylinder, a piston rod carrying the piston, the piston having e "Soew connection with the' piston rod; and .meanc for locking the piston against rotetion, comprising a spring carried by the roozreee piston rod having projecting end engaging :i recess in the piston.

13; In a gas operated gun, a gas cylinder communicating with the barrel, a piston movable in the cylinderj a piston rod carrying the piston, a Spring carried by the piston rod7 means on the piston rod for preventing rotation of the spring on the piston rod adapted to permit longitudinal movement of the end of the spring.

14. In a gas operated gun, a gas cylinder communicating with the barrel, a piston movable in the gas Cylinder, having a recess in its rear face, a piston rod to which the piston is so connected that it may be locked or released by rotating it` and means carried by the piston rod adapted to engag the rein the pist-on to hold it in loelred position.

l5. In a gas operated gun, a gas Cylinder communicating with the barrel, a piston movable in the gas cylinder having a reeess in its rear face, a piston rod with which the piston is so Connected that it may/be locked or released hy rotating it anda Spring Carried by the piston rod havingl its end adapted to engage the recess in the piston and means carried by the piston rod adapted to prevent the end of the spring from rotating thereon.

1G. In a gas operated gun7 a gas eylinder communicating with the barreh a piston serevvthreads adapted to receive the screwthreads formed thereon, e piston rod having screvvthreads adapted to receive the screatlireads of the piston and ineens carried by the piston rod adapted to engage the piston to preventJ its rotation. v

in testimon)7 whereof I my signature, in presence of tivo Witnesees.

' SAMUEL MCCLEAN.

litnesses:

l Beer, Bosirrinn,

. P. Guenter. 

